The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-10
BLIGHTED BY sun AND FIRE
The Drought-Stricken District Expe-
riences an Increase of Discomfort.
No Rain Yet and Return of Hot Weather
Threatened-FOrest and Prairie Fires
Doing Enormous Damage.


western country, show that the fearful
scorchIng of all vegetation, continues unmiti-
gated. Not drop of rain has fallen, except
sight one -nundredths of inch at DesMoines
q bare sprinkle on the deep dust. Local obserya-
tions in the various districts give but little hope
Of q break within the coming twenty-four hours.
A trihe cooler weather and scattering light
showers are expected in some places. but the
conditions are such that if the possible little
moisture and GOODNESS are at all delayed. their
effect will be totally lost in a seemingly i'm
minent further general rise of temperature from
end to end of the drought region.
The effect of the drought in Chicago was uotica-
BILE In many small fires to-day, out they convey
idea OF the condition of things in the country
Immediately surrounding the city. Never be-
fore have the farmers and residents of the sub
urbs suffered so from the heat and dry weather
All around the vegetable OF the
small gardeners have been killed.
All along the railroad tracks the prairies are on
Ere and the residents of the suburbs are called
out at all hours of the day and night to extin-
guish the flames when they threaten the barns
and houses At Western Springs a valuable
grove of young trees has been completely de-
stroyed and the neighboring dwellings were only
saved by the greatest efforts on the part of the
villagers Out on the Rock Island road things
are even worse. Fences all along the line of the
road fire, and the air is constantly filled
with the smoke of the burning prairie grass. At
South Englewood every one was called out or
church on Sunday to fight the fire. and since
then, when the male residents were in the city,
the ladies of the village had to turn out and ex-
tinguish the flames. Water is very
Cisterns and wells alike empty, and the
greatest economy of the precious fluid is OBJ
served. Cattle actually suffering for water,
and stand for hours lowing in their distress At
Washington Heights water has been scarce
that it has been sold for five cents a pail and
found ready market.
About 1000 cords of kiln wood. belonging to
the National Furnace Company at Depere,
Wis, was burned at Lathamville. the Mil
waukee & Northern road. A special train with
twenty five men went down and prevented the
fire from doing other damage Loss, about
$4,000. The wells have all dried up and there is
no water to fight the fire. In the town of Belle
vue fire destroyed John Conley's stable, with
three teams of horses, harness, self binder and
other machinery.
a raging fire prevails Eldorado marsh
The farmers have turned out en- masse to fight
the flames, which reported to be spreading
rapidly. The marsh is dotted with hay stacks,
quite q number of which have already burned
Should the fire spread beyond control. great
damage will result, with possible loss of life.
A whitewater marsh near Palmyra Wis.
caught fire from a passing locomotive, and some
twenty of hay have already been de-
stroyed. The fire is still spreading
Fire at Garden, Wis. village on Big Bay De
Nouuet last night destroyed the hotel and
livery stable of Robert A. Mcdonald and six
other buildings. A fortunate change of wind
saved the business portion of the town. The
horses were all saved. Loss, $1,000; insur-
Forest fires are raging fearfullv in the north
ern part of Kent county, Michigan. At Sand
lake the fire got into the pine sashing. and for
some time came near devouriEe the village
Farm houses and buildings adjacent to the fire
were barely saved by heroic efforts. The woods
and fields in every direction about Cedar Springs
are fire, and pretty much everybody is
gagged in fighting the flames, trying to save farm
property. Several residences were yesterday sur
rounded by fire. and only by great effort was the
property saved. Fences and timber were
burned valued at several thousands of dollars.
Famed by a brisk breeze, the flames spread
rapidly. If rain docs not come soon there will
be heavy losses. Crops suffering terribly.
Fire broke out in the pineries near Grandvlle
Yesterday afternoon and there is danger of the
village burning Fires also burning in
the marshes the city. and the smoke is
thick all about
Forest fires have broken out again in the vi
cinty of Neilsville Wis, and causing con-
siderable damage On the East Fork the log
cling camp of Charles Squires has been burned,
including all the sieds and other camp outfit.
The loss is quite heavy. Near the same place is
q jam of thousands of logs which threatened.
The fire is within one mile of the jam and the
wind is blowing toward it. August Hasely, a
farmer living about seven miles east of here,
lost 225 cords of wood Fire broke out yester-
day Wedges creek. seven miles west of here,
and is spreading rapidly. This is in the neigh
borhood of Hewittsville, which was destroyed by
fire just year ago yesterday, when Hewitt's mills
swept away. Considerable apprehension is
felt here and the city has been thoroughly wet
down by the water-works. Everything is very
dry, and if there is n rain within the next twen-
Au-f hnnr HaD han 4 n inf tad
last year may be expected. All day yesterday
heavy gale of wind prevailed, which swept the
flames and destroyed everything before 1t.
News has just been received that the large stave
mill Of Hem 81 Meyer. on Wedges creek, togeth-.
er with thousands of dollars worth of slaves. is
in great danger and crew of men has started
from the city to fight the flames fierce fire
is raging in the wood marsh, southeast of Port
age and a force of men Is hard at work fighting
the flames. A large amount of hay has been
SWEPT away and other property is in danger.
Heavy forest fires have been raging through
out q section about Grand Haven Mich, for the
past two weeks. doing considerable damage. The
fire department was called out to fight fire in an
adjoinining forest south of the city back of Lake
Forest Cemetery. About 400 acres burned in
that vicinity. and the fire encroached upon the
cemetery where it burned the grass off from
about thirty lots. badly bleaching tombstones,
etc The fire is now under control south of here,
but it is raging fiercly to the southeast OF the
city.
Prairie fires have been of frequent occurrence
in and about Carlyle. H., during the past two
Weohe anu Inc loss Will dSRrtgdtS tnouShuuS Oh
dollars farmer living alongside the Ohio e.
Mississippi railway had bout fifty tons of timothy
burned OF his meadow. 1t was supposed to have
been set on fire by locomotive spark. He has
filed complaint against the company for dam
ages.
A large area of whortleberry marsh east of
Michigan City. Ind, has been on fire for several
days doing much damage All the farmers in
the vicinity are fighting the flames to save their
houses, wheat stacks. etc.
Near Cedar Springs. Mich, fires continue to
spread, and large parties fighting the
flames. No rain has fallen since the middle of
June. The fires are very bad around Blrches
Mill.
Near Cheboycan Mich, forest fires are again
raging, and are destroying much valuable pine |
and standing timber, and burning fences and |
barns. Farmers are fighting the fires to save |
their homes and stock. A heavy smoke hangs |